Trapped animals seized; 18 charged in probe

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  Authorities have seized dozens of animals and charged 18 men from four states with releasing trapped foxes, coyotes and bobcats into fenced enclosures to be chased down by dogs.

The suspects  15 from Alabama and one each from Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin  face jail time and fines of as much as $225,000, said Allan Andress, chief of enforcement for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The arrests on Monday capped a two-year undercover investigation and resulted in the seizure of 55 foxes, 25 coyotes and two bobcats, Andress said.